The big day is almost here and I want to spread some Christmas cheer! I’m thrilled to be joining a group of authors to bring you some encouragement AND an awesome giveaway as we honor the true meaning of Christmas.

A Gift that Will Not Disappoint

I sneaked down the stairs, quiet as a mouse, trying to avoid the creak on the third step. I was seven years old and determined to peek at one of my presents wrapped beneath the tree. Stealthily, I opened a gift…but to my dismay it was a package of twisty drinking straws. I carefully refolded the wrapping and placed the gift back under the tree.

Not only was I disappointed, but now I had to feign enthusiasm for the straws come Christmas morning.

Discontentment can taint our Christmas experience. We buy into the lie that we’d be happier if we had what they had or we’d finally be at peace if this desirable thing happened. But the problem with this line of thinking is that it focuses on what is lacking, and not on what is already ours.

Sometimes we do get what we want, but it can leave us wanting more. Or we’re so tired of waiting for that one thing we want most, that when we get it, we forget to express sincerest gratitude because we are already onto the next thing on our list.

There’s a better, more fulfilling way to live. Let’s not lose the awe and wonder of Christmas. Let’s turn around and see things from another perspective.

I don’t think it’s an accident that Thanksgiving precedes Christmas. Because nothing curbs discontentment like gratitude; I know from personal experience.

You see, years ago, I used to make all these lists about things I wanted. But the lists just caused me to focus on what I didn’t have. Then I read Ann’s beautiful book, and I started making a new kind of list, of what I already had—the good, the hard, and everything in between.

And I found more joy than I knew I possessed. Discontentment melted as I uncovered what was present beneath the surface.

A baby given. Not what was expected, but the very thing that was needed to breed contentment in this life, and the life to come.

Our ancestors put their trust in you; they trusted you, and you saved them. They called to you and escaped from danger; they trusted you and were not disappointed. -Psalm 22:4-5 (GNB)

Wrapped in twisted flesh beneath the tree, Jesus gave us Himself.

She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins. –Matthew 1:21 (AMP)

Let’s place our disappointments, failures, and discontentment under that tree on which Christ died and let’s unwrap the gift Who never lets us down.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. -Romans 5:6 (NIV)

What joy! We have what we need, and more than we even knew to ask for.

His name is Jesus. And He is the heart of Christmas.

And now, for more encouragement for your heart, please visit these ladies!

AND we have teamed up to bring you such an amazing giveaway! This prize package includes books that will speak to your soul, a t-shirt that will bring you joy, music that will bless your heart and so much more!

Do you feel like a child tucked in snug, dreaming of sugarplums, as you anticipate Christmas morning?

Or do you feel like a child confined to bed, with flu-like symptoms, as you dread the mourning that accompanies Christmas?

Or maybe you experience a complex mixture of joy and grief that leaves you feeling vulnerable and unsteady?

The holiday season can be a painful trigger for those who are missing a loved one ’round their table.

I used to lack patience and sensitivity towards those who had difficulty celebrating the holidays. Then, I got a taste of unseasoned grief that did not go down smooth.

The other day I was down in the dumps with no logical explanation. I could not put my finger on it at first, but then I remembered. I was reliving what happened almost two years ago—around this time that is usually marked by giving thanks.

Unwrapping the Mourning

It was March of 2011 and we were giddy with anticipation. We finally were moving forward with our adoption journey. We went all in…

Decorating the nursery

Registering for baby gear

Talking about baby names

Imagining life with another little

The weeks of waiting turned to months and the months turned into a year. I felt emotionally pregnant as the ups and downs came. As a #TightlyWoundWoman this unpredictable journey unraveled me.

And then, at long last, we got THE CALL. I had just pulled into the grocery store parking lot when our caseworker called. There was a baby boy born. Could we come pick him up soon?

It was surreal. After all this waiting and getting ready and getting let down, it was time to receive what our aching, empty arms had longed for.

As Hubby and I reached the hospital we entered the lobby area and searched for the familiar face of our caseworker. Her kind eyes looked serious and somber. In an unexpected turn of events the baby’s mother returned to the hospital after being discharged and felt conflicted about her decision.

Long story short, about an hour later, we headed home with a full diaper bag and an empty car seat.

I tried to eat something on the drive back home, choking down a burger that left me nauseated as the ugly cry surfaced from the depths. As we pulled into our driveway we stuffed our feelings down so we could face our children anxiously awaiting their little brother’s arrival.

He never came home with us.

Wrapped In Morning

About a month later, we sat with extended family on Christmas morning as gifts were opened.

It was my turn to open a gift. It was from one of my sister-in-laws, the one who feels deep, sews prayerfully, dances her heart out and waits long to have babies.

I pulled out the handmade gift, a vibrant blanket with material that uniquely displayed our heart for an adopted child. She had finished it and given it to us, even though our wait was not yet complete. And there, with twenty eyes watching, my ugly cry surfaced again with uncontrolled eruptions and moans.

The beauty of her handiwork invited the unbridled grief out in a unpredictable mess of emotion.

My sister-in-law embraced me and whispered hope-words to my broken soul, “It’s going to happen. I know it.” The elephant in the room was exposed as this act of compassion unlocked the mourning.

At first I was embarrassed and tried to apologize for my outburst but then I surrendered to the reality of the situation and accepted the depth of care that was demonstrated.

Consider reading Kate Motaung’s ebook Letters to Grief, this season as you remember losses and loved-ones and help others navigate the bittersweet waters of this season. I had the pleasure to review this book and this is what I thought of it:

Grief takes shape and form through Kate’s poetic writing and reflections, I was able to understand my own grief better and have more understanding and patience with those who are hurting. So often I want grief to hurry up and take its leave we can all move on. But we don’t move on without it coming along in some shape or form, do we? Thank you Kate for pointing to the hope found in God’s Word without sugar-coating the pain of loss.

*All images used in this post were designed for the Letters to Grief book release. For more information about custom images for your website or ebook contact me via email.

Linking-up with Meredith, Holley, Kristin and Jennifer today. You’re invited to write and read and join together in community as we walk through this season together.

welcome

Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.
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